The United States Department of State has announced the dismantling of a birth tourism network operating in West Africa, leading to the revocation of more than 100 visas as part of a broader effort to combat visa fraud and abuse of the U.S. immigration system.
In a statement issued on June 10, the State Department said a U.S. embassy in the region uncovered a coordinated scheme involving over 100 foreign nationals who allegedly used fraudulent documents and the services of visa facilitators to secure visitor visas for the purpose of giving birth in the United States.
According to U.S. authorities, the network relied on visa “fixers” who assisted applicants with travel arrangements and documentation designed to help them obtain U.S. citizenship for their children through birth on American soil.
The department said the operation was shut down and the visas of those involved were revoked.
“A U.S. embassy in West Africa uncovered a sophisticated birth tourism network of more than 100 foreign nationals using fraudulent documents and visa ‘fixers’ to get themselves visas in order to get U.S. citizenship for their children. We shut it down, revoked these foreign nationals’ visas, and are coordinating with local authorities to systematically identify and cut off any similar operations,” the State Department stated.
While officials did not disclose the specific West African country or countries involved, they confirmed that U.S. authorities are working closely with local partners to prevent similar schemes from emerging in the future.
The disclosure forms part of a wider campaign by the United States to tackle birth tourism, a practice in which foreign nationals travel to the country primarily to give birth so their children can acquire U.S. citizenship under birthright citizenship laws.
The State Department reiterated that obtaining a visitor visa with the primary intention of giving birth in the United States is a violation of visa regulations.
“No foreigner is permitted to obtain a visitor visa for the primary purpose of acquiring U.S. citizenship for a child by giving birth in the U.S.,” the department said.
U.S. officials noted that the West African case is one of several investigations carried out globally. In Europe, authorities have identified more than 400 suspected birth tourism cases since 2024, linked to at least six companies accused of coaching visa applicants, arranging accommodation and coordinating childbirth-related travel to the United States.
The department said visas connected to those cases were revoked, while several individuals involved in facilitating the schemes were permanently barred from entering the United States.
In a separate operation, a U.S. embassy in North Africa revoked more than 100 visas issued to parents who had travelled to the United States primarily to give birth.
According to the State Department, consular officers used data analytics and collaborated with law enforcement agencies to identify and disrupt networks exploiting the visa system.
The department stressed that efforts to combat birth tourism and visa fraud will continue worldwide.
“A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right. The State Department is taking action around the world to stop this abuse, dismantle birth tourism networks, and hold accountable those who try to scam our system,” the statement added.
